The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-06-02
w hat Austin Needs.
To the Editor of the Statesman:

To the Editor of the Statesman:
This has become rather familiar cap
ton, but, on the principle of what is not
worth striving for is not worth having,
the subject is again discussed and dwelt
upon. No citizen, however humble his
walk in life, can afford 20 be Indifferent to
the prosperity of his town. Austin's
needs have occupied attention for some
considerable time, but nothing has been
reached in the shape of definite action ex-
cept our recent move toward an important
railroad connection. 1t requires a few
only of our leading citizens to take the
initiative to establish board of trade.
In such an organization lies much power.
Measures of interest and importance can
be here discussed; meetings may be held
rs frequently as need be, while it would
be almost impossible to get the same
number and representation together by the
ordinary method of calling public meet
ings in public hall. Organization will do
much. 1t is what Austin's progressive men
should see to at once. The adjective is
used advisedly, for we have progressive
men; men who would be glad to see the
well directed enterprises, but who have
settled back into chronic state of
inertia because they consider our city
to be troubled with "mossbackisr." But
even many cases of alleged mossbackism
could be shamed into action by proper
efforts on the part Of men who are will
ling and ready to work, but who are
committing the error of holding back I'm.
til some one else takes the initiative.
A start must be made some time if our
city is ever to profit by the natural ad-
yantages it enjoys, and some one man has
to make the first move, be it ever so
slight. Our sister cities are pushing to
the front-they are improving every ad-
vantage that offers. Are we doing this
A prominent Dallas man, recently on
visit to Austin, said a few days
ago in our hearing, "Your city
is much more delightful to re-
side in than Dallas. Your situation
is lovely and healthful. The quality of your
water, and the power that it can be turned
to, we in Dallas would appreciate much
more than you appear to, did we possess
it. We would, for instance, have a half
dozen factories utilizing it. Your town
looks sleepy after coming from Dallas.
What is the matter with Austin, anyway"
The matter is just this: We are without
organization. We are each waiting for
the other. We engage in more or less
desultory talk and sometimes rise to a
spasmodic effort, but on account of lack
of unity and organization chances are lost
until Others point the finger of scorn at us
and call us the capital, only" or "city
of boarding houses" Dallas, Fort Worth,
Ell Paso and other cities have recently sold
large tracts of suburban property to
investors who have perfect confidence
in the future of the purchases.
THESE men are not fools; they see deter
miuatiOn on the part of the residents of
these places to join hands for a common
purpose. Lots in Dallas to-day are held
at $500 two miles and a half from the
center of the city. Houston and San An
tonic both have a merchants club, from
which organization have sprung solid bus
mess enterprises and the establishment of
merchants exchanges. 1t is credit and
pleasure to belong to these clubs. Founded
on social basis, all Objectionable fea-
lures and applicants have been refused
admittance. monthly entertainment,
attended by the wives and friends OF the
members, is given. Here in Austin a
stranger, visiting US with the firm Diet r
to invest, would not know where
to go for information. Possibly he would
fall into the hands of some very worthy. |
but rather too conservative, citizen. |
who would Immediately brighten him
away to some other place by a doleful |
tale of mossbackiSm. This word !
should be forever banished from our
.ongues. Let each do his duty in his own
and the future is assured, and |
progress. Those who do not and will not |
assist for the common good, let them be
passed by with contempt, for the major
ty can dispense with their services and !
Who will start a mer-
,hants' club and exchange, together com
)ining social and business intert SITS? 1t
IAN be done on small scale at first, and |
managed rightly will grow. We have
lever had real good effort in this direc.
ion, and believe the time is now ripe for
IN organization OF this kind. 1t should
De remembered that many men who pre-
er not to appear on platform.
ian and will formulate ideas of
7alue in less formal and |
public way at times, and be earnest work
srs. There are propositions now await
ng the deliberations of just such an or
yanization. Anything in the shape of
statistics and information would COM
nand attention, emenating from such
body. We could, for instance, lay before
IN enquiring eastern manufacturer the |
possibilities of our motor; show him the !